Page 86 of Playing for Keeps

“I’ve created a child,” I tell my pa.

“With Lola, right?” he asks. “This isn’t another random faker like at the wedding, is it?”

When I frown at his lack of enthusiasm, Pa-Emmett sighs dramatically. “My children are so needy.”

“You hugged us too much when we were little,” I insist and open my arms wide. “This emotional garbage is all on you.”

My grinning pa hugs me. “I hope you have a boy as obnoxious as you,” he whispers in my ear. “He’ll keep you entertained into your elder years.”

“Thanks, Pa. Stay close when I tell West. I’m worried he’ll show his love by trying to decapitate me again.”

West doesn’t assault me with love when he learns the news. He congratulates me and then looks at Alexis who rode in with him.

“I thought you’d be preggo by now,” he tells her.

“Me too. I might need to ride you more. That or your swimmers are defective.”

“Val did kick me in the crotch a lot as a child.”

“My balls took a beating, too,” I point out, rejecting his revisionist history bullshit. “Yet, I created life in the first month with my dream girl. I suspect Alexis is right, and you aren’t enjoying her body enough.”

West glances at Alexis who is walking toward our parents’ house to check on Lola. I smile at how close the girls have already gotten.

Lola often swears she wasn’t lonely in Basin Rock. She had Clover, Erin, and Duke. Her life was busy and fun. But I think she missed out by never having close girlfriends. Now, she’ll be surrounded by an army of them as she deals with the wonders of pregnancy and motherhood.

“I’m proud of you,” West whispers and slaps his hand on my shoulder. “Somehow, you’ve managed to mature into a husband and the leader of men while also retaining the obnoxious aura of a second-born, second-rate son. That takes great skill.”

Pa-Emmett stands nearby, frowning at us. Based on his fearful gaze, I suspect he’s coming to terms with how he has less than a year to prepare to become a grandpa.

“Next year, a small human will be hanging out with us,” I point out while pulling my father and brother in for an awkward hug. “I wonder how old my son will be when he learns to gasp dramatically.”

My pa loses his frown and begins chuckling. He catches sight of his wife running toward Journey’s arriving car. We all smile at how Poppy and Justice nearly tackle their sister in excitement.

As the homestead celebrates, I step into the house to find Lola staring at the ceiling while still planted on the couch.

“Maybe you can put on something to watch,” Alexis suggests from her spot next to the couch. “Perhaps, one of those classic movies with deep meaning and a master class in acting.”

“Any suggestions?” I ask my sister-in-law while settling on the floor next to the couch.

As Lola grins at me, Alexis finds a movie for us to watch.

“Everyone is excited,” I tell Lola.

“Later, I’ll tell my family. I need to feel better, so they won’t think something’s wrong.”

“Maybe you can invite them over for dinner tonight. That way, they can enjoy the festive mood.”

Lola exhales deeply and smiles at me. “You always have the best ideas.”

As I kiss all over Lola’s face, Alexis hands me the remote.

“Best to introduce the baby to the classics early,” she says, and I realize she’s fired up “Tremors.”

I end up sitting on the couch with Lola’s head resting on a pillow in my lap. By the time the last Graboid is defeated, her family is on their way to Tumbling Rock.

Lola doesn’t say a lot that afternoon, but I catch her watching me more than once. The smiles she offers steal my worries over her nausea and exhaustion.

I find myself replaying the night at the bar when I finally met Lola McGraw up close and personal. In my heart, I knew I’d never be the same man again.

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